This is a list of the world's busiest seaports by cargo tonnage, the total mass, or in some cases volume, of actual cargo transported through the port. The rankings are based on AAPA world port ranking data. The cargo rankings based on tonnage should be interpreted with caution since these measures are not directly comparable and cannot be converted to a single, standardized unit. In the Measure column, MT = Metric Tons, HT = Harbor Tons, FT = Freight Tons, and RT = Revenue Tons. 2018–2019 2012–2017 Rankings 2004–2011 2005 2004 2003 2002 References and notes AAPA World Port Rankings 2003 AAPA World Port Rankings 2002 Economy-related lists of superlatives Busiest ports by cargo tonnage